[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 120 (Thursday, September 12, 2013)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1304] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] COMMEMORATING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF GERALDINE ``GERRY'' ESTEP SHERWOOD ______ HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY of virginia in the house of representatives Thursday, September 12, 2013 Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate and celebrate the life of one of Fairfax City's most, prominent citizens, Mrs. Geraldine `Gerry' Estep Sherwood. Mrs. Sherwood passed away on August 5, 2013 leaving a legacy that will benefit Fairfax City and the Northern Virginia community for generations to come. Mrs. Sherwood's passion for the musical arts emerged at an early age. When she was just a small child, she was asked if she would like a large, toy piano for a present; she responded by saying that she would ``wait for the real thing.'' The wait was not to be very long, she began piano lessons at age 6 and continued her education through college where she majored in music. Mrs. Sherwood's involvement in Fairfax City began in 1947 when she accepted a position as a teacher at Fairfax High School. At Fairfax High School, she initiated a choral music program and shepherded its growth for seven years. At that time, Fairfax was a `village' of about 1,000 residents. The area was surrounded by farmland described by Mrs. Sherwood as ``a wasteland as far as music was concerned.'' Also in 1947, Mrs. Sherwood met a young veteran, Mr. Stacy Sherwood, who had served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. They married in 1950 and together became a force in Fairfax City. Mr. Sherwood served on the town and city councils, and was instrumental in having Fairfax City identified as the location of what is now George Mason University. While Mr. Sherwood continued his civic activities, Mrs. Sherwood dedicated herself to promotion of the arts in Fairfax City. Following public school teaching, Mrs. Sherwood provided private lessons in piano and voice and directed junior and senior choirs at a local church which she continued through 2010. She served with the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra, the Fairfax Music Guild and the Fairfax Choral Society, and was a founding member of the Arts Council of Fairfax County. Mrs. Sherwood was named the Honorary Chair for the 2010 Spotlight on the Arts Festival. In 2007, Mrs. Sherwood offered to donate $5 million for the construction and operation of a community center in the heart of Fairfax City. Although a centrally located community center had been contemplated since the 1960's, it was not until her generous offer that the dream could become a reality. Named in honor of her husband who passed away in 2002, The Stacy C. Sherwood Center opened its doors in February, 2011. The Stacy C. Sherwood Center was immediately recognized as a superior, state-of-the-art facility, earning the prestigious ``Best New Facility Award'' from the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society in 2012. Containing over 14,000 square feet, the Center caters to a wide range of arts, activities and programs. This center is also used as a venue for weddings, private business and social activities, in fact the Center contains the largest performance and banquet space in the City of Fairfax. This Center not only provides a facility to expand and promote the arts, it enhances the identity of the region and is a gift to the community that will live on. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the life and contributions of Mrs. Geraldine ``Gerry'' Estep Sherwood. Mrs. Sherwood will be missed, but will always be remembered as the driving force that changed Fairfax City from a ``wasteland as far as the arts were concerned'' into a regional treasure. I, and the constituents of the 11th Congressional District of Virginia, owe Mrs. Sherwood a debt of gratitude that cannot be repaid. ____________________